How do I choose the right preschool?

There are so many options and we recently moved to San Clemente. How does one choose a preschool from the myriad of choices???

Choosing your child’s first school is difficult for more reasons than one. If you are new to an area and cannot rely on recommendations from friends and family, make an effort to reach out to other parents. Try to find a mom’s club in your area. Also, walk right up to parents at the park, church, or in the mall, and ask them where their children go to school. For the most part, you will find parents willing to share their experiences and their tricks of the trade. We are all new moms once, and others will reach out to help you find answers to questions we all ask.

After you receive some recommendations, plan to visit several schools. There are preschools and child development centers linked to churches, community colleges, and universities. Then there are independent schools or family homes. Each environment is unique and you will find one that suits your child.

When you visit, schedule a tour and plan to ask questions at the end. While you are there, look at the classrooms, bathrooms, snack areas, and play areas to be sure the facilities are clean, safe, and adequate for the amount of children in attendance. Stop when you are in the classroom and watch how the staff interacts with the children.

After the tour, have your questions ready (you might even want to have a notepad so you’ll remember to ask everything and perhaps take notes). Ask if the school is licensed and accredited. Licensing covers the minimum health and safety guidelines, but accreditation means the school has achieved a higher level of quality. Jot down what the student-teacher ratio is and compare it to the schools you visit. Always make a mental note of how the children function in the classroom and compare this to the ratios. Sometimes schools will claim low student-teacher ratios, but there are way too many kids in one room even if there are several adults. You want adequate space with low student teacher ratios. Inquire as to the teachers and don’t be shy. Ask how long the teachers have worked at the school, what the turnover rate is, and what type of schooling is required of the staff. Make sure to get a list of fees, hours, and schedules. Before you leave, ask what the teaching and learning philosophies are and compare the answer to what you saw on your tour.

I have a personal bias that I have to share: Beware of schools claiming to be overly academic. You want a rich environment, but when children are forced to do academic worksheets or prolonged learning sessions at the preschool age, children begin to think that school is laborious and not a place to learn and grow while having fun.

When you get a warm, fuzzy feeling about a school, and you have done your research, you will know you have found the right place.